Arizona weekly citizen., 1887-11-12

Results of an Inquiring Reporters in- vestigations A Chinaman's EIPlana-
 tion-The Deteotiyes' Account by Ne
 Means Complimentary.
 Patrons of the Clay street cable line, which passes through Chinatown, have marveled much at the possible meaning of good En- glish sign swung boldly to the sight of all men from the third story of a building on the south side of Clay street, short distance east of Stockton. It Is resplendent with gilt lettering and gracefully draped with red cloth. It appears bold and busineSslike- It reads: -Jog Lum Sen Fong, Chinese Mutual Aid Association These words have ring to them that Is especially pleasing to the ear of an American. They sound modern They
 uggest an institution possible only to modern conditions of trade-the mutual benefit asso- citation, the most recent and as yet unfinished institution of our democratic freedom But, above all, it is gratifying to our race pride to think that the belated son of the Orient has observed in our keeping something else that he must perforce copy.
 A reporter entered the railways of the customary Chinatown rOokery, climbed three flights of narrow, dirty and dark stairs. and making his way through an unpainted, un- planed redwood door, found himself in a Chinese business office. The Joss was there, squatted in his tinsel altar begrimed with punk smoke and hog fat. Facing this divinity there was the usual low platform, softly car peted. Upon this sat, in true Oriental fashion. three cross legged Chinamen smok ing their tobacco through long tin cans filled with water.
 @What you wanti" said one of them
 The object of the visit was stated
 Me no sabee. No talkee English, was the quick, suspicious response; and the three Celestials became as mute as the little mus tached gods in front of them They smoked on, totally oblivious of the strangers pres snce, and after glance at the semi barbar- ism about him, he left the room.
 MORE TREMENDOUS SIGN.
 On his way down Clay street Q still more pretentious sign attracted his attention. It was swung from the top of building on Waverly place. and bore the words, Chinese and American Mutual Protective Associa- ton" Again the stairway was threaded, and an apartment similar to the one just de- scribed was found on the top floor. But there appeared to be no one present The little god sitting on his heels and peering out through a cloud of incense smoke was alone. Presently, however, confused hobbling was heard in one of the dingy passageways that l-d from he room, and a Celestial madeshis appear .- Guiding himself by the wall, he nearei ..l. altar, and then, turning to the visitor, revealed the fact that be was stone blind
 The usual question, What you wantT" was asked and answered, and then the Chinaman, after explaining that he saw nothing but only heard, explained in very fair English the purposes of the society. He said, m effect, that it was closely modelled after the Amer ican pattern. The members pay so much per month, in this case Sl, and in return get all the benefits that cooperation can afford. If they become sick they are sent to a Chinese doctors medical establishment and their ex- penses paid; if, through advancing age or loss of health, they are no longer able to earn their living in this country, their fare back tc China is paid; if found poor on the streets, they are taken to the home of the association and fed and clothed; if out of work, they seek 1t through the aid of the society. The | blind informant stated that every week the | office receives letters from the country call | ing for labOrers; and then, when a member | breathes his last, the society to it that his bones are in due time shipped to the lands of bis fathers.